SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:57 P.M. ET: 

SUSAN RICE SPEAKS – So you may be sure it's nonsense.  From Breitbart:   In her most dramatic speech to date about climate change, National Security Advisor Susan Rice suggests climate change was partially responsible for the conflict in Syria and represents a looming threat to the entire world.  “In the years prior to civil war breaking out in Syria, that country also experienced its worst drought on record,” she said during a political speech at Stanford University. “Farming families moved en masse into urban centers, increasing political unrest and further priming the country for conflict.”  Uh, right.  It had nothing to do with her boss's erratic and weak policies.  And we're sure the Russians are now in Syria to fight "climate change."  Amazing what a little pollution can do.  Rice was also the official who told us that Benghazi was caused by a YouTube video.  She represents well the deceit of the Obama administration.

THE DEBATE – We note for the record that the Democrats had their first presidential debate tonight.  I spot-checked it, then watched the most important moments later in the roundup and examined a number of commentaries.  We'll have more in the morning.  Most pundits believe Hillary won, was poised and confident.  But as one observer noted, who did she win against?  Sanders, O'Malley, Chafee, Webb.  Webb, a moderate Democrat, was largely ignored by the leftist crowd and the leftist candidates, but was the only sane candidate and person of integrity on the stage.  At one time he would have been considered a mainstream Democrat.  Now he's considered a despised "moderate."  Most interesting reaction:  A Fox News focus group run by Frank Luntz, which believed that Sanders won, and was most believable.  Most interesting criticism from opponents of the Democratic Party:  The debate proved that the party has now gone far left, with no voice for moderates.  No word yet on audience size.

ANOTHER GREAT MOMENT IN EDUCATION:   From National Review:  An advisory council for Hillsborough Community College in Florida reportedly voted to stop saying the pledge of allegiance during a September meeting after a discussion about how it was making some people uncomfortable.  Local news affiliate WFLA reports that although members of the Institutional Advisory Council maintain that the reasoning behind the vote was to save time, the preliminary minutes reflect that there “was a heated discussion about ‘The Pledge of Allegiance and its appropriateness in an institution of higher learning which fosters academic freedom and structured dissent against authority.’”  “Some members expressed views that the Pledge made some people uncomfortable and that it violated their beliefs in academic freedom and the goals of the IAC,” the minutes stated, according to WFLA.  The council comprises students, faculty, and staff.  We have a legal tradition that no person is ever required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.  We also have a cultural tradition that the Pledge is said at public meetings and school sessions.  People who feel "uncomfortable" need not participate.  People who feel "comfortable" should have the right to their own participation.  This is the left in action again.  Their belief in free speech seems to apply only to certain favored people and groups.

October 13,  2015